?— Victoria Alexandrovna, the first level of protection is the family. What conditions are important here?

— Family is the foundation. A child imitates adult behavior, so conditions for a healthy lifestyle must be created at home, and parents must be role models. Fathers and mothers who do not consume alcohol are the best guide for children. It is not enough to simply say "it is harmful"; one must show by example that it is possible to relax and cope with stress without alcohol.

?— Teenagers spend most of their time at school. How should work be organized there?

— Attitudes towards peers and adults are formed at school, so educational institutions must create an environment that encourages sports and physical exercise. Teachers must possess high qualities and be worthy role models themselves. Simultaneously, it is important to regularly conduct preventive measures that visually demonstrate the destructive effects of alcohol on the young body.

?— What are the reasons that push modern teenagers towards alcohol?

— They are complex. First and foremost are family relationships. Teenagers turn to alcohol if there is a negative atmosphere at home, violence, misunderstanding, or excessive overprotection from parents. Children often try alcohol in families where it is customary to celebrate holidays, receive guests, or relax on weekends with alcohol.
The second reason is the influence of the environment. During adolescence, relationships with friends are critically important for teenagers. They may drink alcohol to fit in, to keep up with peers who are drinking, to be more sociable, bolder, not to fear the judgment of their opinions, to feel attractive, and to escape from a difficult reality.

?— What are the consequences of alcohol consumption in adolescence?

— Regular alcohol consumption by teenagers is much more dangerous than alcoholism in adults. This is because during this period, a child's entire system of organs is actively growing. Alcohol poisons the entire body, leading to malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract, liver damage (up to hepatitis and cirrhosis), impaired function of the pancreas, cardiovascular system, kidneys, and lungs, and reduced immune defense.
The psyche also suffers. Emotional disturbances, rudeness, carelessness, and lack of behavioral control appear. The most frightening thing is that weekend drinking with friends begins to be considered normal, becomes regular, and alcohol imperceptibly becomes the main meaning of life.

?— There is a stereotype that this is a problem only for dysfunctional families. Is this true?

— No, this is a dangerous misconception. Children from well-off families, where parents fully provide for them materially, often become alcoholics. But adults are sometimes busy and do not monitor the child's development, do not know their environment. They believe that the main thing is to give them healthy food, good clothes, and pocket money. When a teenager starts to behave defiantly, they justify it as a "transitional age" and resolve disputes with gifts or money, without suspecting that they themselves are continuing to sponsor child alcoholism.

?— How to notice trouble and what to do if a child comes home drunk?

— Pay attention to sharp changes in behavior: rudeness, aggression, withdrawal, secrecy, decline in academic performance. Alarming signals are if money disappears from the house, the child comes home late and smells of alcohol. If he comes home drunk, postpone the conversation until morning: in a state of intoxication, a teenager will not listen to reason. In the morning, find out the reasons why he tried alcohol and find a way to achieve the same goals, but without alcohol. Teach your son or daughter to stand up for their opinion and say "no," this will help them gain authority among peers without drinking.

?— How to protect a child from alcoholism?

— A teenager should feel comfortable in the family, know that they are understood, and perceive parents as wise mentors. Show respect for your children, do not manipulate experience and age, find a common hobby to spend free time with pleasure. Help them become individuals. Be authoritative, and to do this, behave with dignity in all situations.

?— Where to seek help if trouble occurs?

— If a child is seriously interested in alcohol, it is necessary to consult specialists. Assistance is provided completely anonymously. "Helpline" of Beshenkovichi Central District Hospital: 8 (02131) 6-50-35 (on weekdays). Emergency psychological assistance of Vitebsk region: 8 (0212) 61-60-60 (24/7). Republican "helpline" for children and adolescents: 8 (017) 263-03-03 (24/7). Also, at the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, free psychological counseling is provided to relatives of people suffering from addiction by calling 8 (0212) 61-60-60.

!Remember that we can protect children only together.

"ZARA"